The Chairman of the National Sports Commission (NSC), Mallam Shehu Dikko, has urged Nigerian states to focus on developing sports where they hold comparative advantage, citing Abia State’s adoption of para-badminton as a model for others.
Mallam Dikko made the call on Saturday in Abuja while hosting the Abia State Commissioner for Youth and Sports, Hon. Nwaobilor Ananaba, and the President of the Badminton Federation of Nigeria (BFN), Mr. Francis Orbih. The duo had visited to brief him on preparations for two landmark tournaments scheduled for Umuahia: the Abia Para-Badminton International Championships (30th September – 5th October 2025) and the All-African Para-Badminton Championships (6th – 12th October 2025).
He congratulated Abia State for its long-term commitment to para-badminton, praising the government’s investment in facilities and support for athletes.
“I must congratulate you on what Abia State is doing. We were together yesterday in a very beautiful and exciting event which broke the ceiling and set the path for others. That is a benchmark that we can tell other states to adopt,” Dikko said.
“This aligns with our vision to host as many international tournaments as possible. Whatever we can do to facilitate this, we will do. You can be rest assured of our support.”
The NSC chairman further emphasized the importance of states investing in sports of comparative strength.
“We advocate that all states can adopt a particular sport like Abia, and keep promoting and investing in it. This will make our work easier, and we will use this model to engage with other governors,” he added.
Dikko also applauded Nigerian paralympian Eniola Bolaji, who won four international para-badminton championships this year. He revealed that Bolaji has been listed in Category A of the Commission’s athletes’ grants for the last quarter.
Earlier, Hon. Ananaba said Abia State’s decade-long investment in para-badminton was part of its inclusive sports development agenda.
On his part, BFN President Mr. Orbih disclosed that 16 countries have confirmed participation in the international championships, while 15 countries will compete in the African event.
The highlight of the meeting was the presentation of the African Women Award in Sports to Eniola Bolaji by Mallam Dikko.